Marquez-Acosta Clash: Stewards' Penalty Sparks MotoGP Debate

MotoGP riders are discussing the controversial incident between Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta that decided the Thailand Grand Prix sprint race. Marquez made a late divebomb pass on Acosta for the lead, but stewards intervened, ordering Marquez to drop a position.

This decision controversially handed Acosta his first-ever MotoGP win. Acosta expressed surprise at the penalty, while Marquez lamented its timing, which limited his ability to respond. The stewards' call has ignited a debate among competitors regarding the interpretation and application of race rules.

Fabio Quartararo noted Marquez stayed on track but conceded the pass was borderline. Raul Fernandez, witnessing the event firsthand, suggested Marquez ran wide due to the bike's characteristics during a wheelie, questioning the penalty's necessity. Other riders, including Fabio di Giannantonio and Jack Miller, emphasized the importance of allowing close racing and expressed concerns about inconsistent stewarding decisions.

Joan Mir also highlighted inconsistency as a primary issue, stating that while he understood the penalty given Acosta went wide, the lack of uniform judgment is problematic. The incident has clearly divided opinion within the paddock, underscoring ongoing discussions about maintaining the sport's exciting spectacle while ensuring fair play.